For SAR, now read R.B.S!!!!!

[Trev Clark]

I am speechless!!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8506806.stm

[Rick Piper]

Hi Trev

Hopefully they won't be like the people that have attempted to run the railways here in the East of England!

but if recent history is to repeat i guess they will need rescuing more than the public

Gordon Brown has probably sold his Mother by now and continues to make a bad situation worse

Regards
Rick

[basys]

Hi Folks

This has been an ongoing process for approx 5 years.

There's various threads over at PPRUNE Rotorheads,
a new one pops up every time someone "discovers" this.
Main 70 page thread from 2008 onwards.

Its a merging of the MCGA and MoD rescue services.

Soteria are the "Preferred Bidder" for the merged service.
Soteria provide kit & personnel.
MoD/MCA will continue to control the ops.

S-92's are already used for northern MCA coverage,
provided by CHC since their introduction, (replaced Bristow & old Seakings),
flying 30% faster, extending coverage radius by 70 miles, (320/250), and have concurrent dual winch capability.

UKSAR framework was redefined back in 2008.

IIRC
Bristow have been running the MCGA southern contracts for at least a couple of years.

HTH
ATB
Paul

[SkippyBing]

Yeah, Lee-on-Solent and Portland have been Coast Guard for at least the last decade. Considering the Military SAR service was originally set up in the days where fast jet pilots were needing rescuing daily it's not surprising the whole system was due a rethink.

[Nigel H-J]

Wonder where that will leave Prince William? As I understand he has at least a year (if not longer) to qualify as a SAR Pilot, no doubt will be transfered to troop carrying and hauling equipment around then.

Aside to that, when will all this contracting end? Labour had been against this sort of thing when Maggie was in but appear to just carry on with it, our SAR crews are one of the best in the world, it annoys me to think that we will lose their experience unless of course they are given the option to apply depending on the length of service left.

Nigel.

[SkippyBing]

The transition to a full contractor service isn't going to happen overnight, and if you actually read the MoD press release ~30% of the pilots will be active military. As for the experience, where do you think most of the Coast Guard SAR crews come from? If you look at the job description it's normally impossible to be considered for the job without military experience.

[Motormouse]

Skippy, the SAR organisation started a bit earlier...WWII to be exact, as a branch of Fighter Command;
just got through reading Graham Pitchfork's book on the subject 'Shot down and in the drink'

(for the ex-Honington peeps...yes its' the same Graham Pitchfork)

Only thing I'm wondering 'bout is will they let HRH fly in a helicopter with dodgy gearbox issues

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... wning.html

ttfn

Pete